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2024 brought the warmest summer in measurement history and therefore ideal conditions for wasps. Naturally, an above-average number of people were stung by wasps, and for some the sting was fatal. It is not surprising that wasps are among the animals that inspire fear. Reason enough to take a closer look at the black and yellow striped hymenoptera.
The work Wasps presented here is the translation of Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect, the book by the American entomologist Eric R. Eaton, published in 2021. The dreaded insects are described in a total of eleven chapters, starting with their evolution (keyword: wasp fossils in amber). It is also explained here that – in short – bees descend from wasps, specifically from stinging wasps. The anatomy chapter (keyword: wasp waist) is also about their position and classification in the animal kingdom (phylum: arthropods, class: insects, order: hymenoptera). This is followed by sections on metamorphosis, beauty, ecology, diversity, behavior, wasp mimics, wasp enemies ("A stinger does not solve all problems") and finally the topic of wasps and people ("An ambivalent relationship") until the final part, the "Wasp family album" (from page 214). The helpful glossary also includes the term "queen", which many people are familiar with primarily in the context of bees. But wasps also live in large colonies and sometimes form huge nests. The gray, often spherical nests in attics are familiar. But hardly anyone thinks about queens. Although wasps and bees are visually similar and related, the way they are perceived by the population is completely different. Here are the good and hard-working bees (keyword honey), there are the annoying wasps that no one “needs”.
But wasps have a fixed position in the ecosystem, they “keep the world going” (page 86). Mathematically speaking, according to a 2006 study, their value for ecosystem services in the USA alone is $57 billion per year. This includes their services in pollinating crops and wild plants as well as their function as a food source for other animals (keyword: wasp eaters) or their performance in breaking down animal waste products or decomposing organic material. Who knows that plants like orchids or figs rely on wasps for pollination?
From a human perspective, among the numerous species, the field wasp (Synoeca septentrionalis) is the one with the most painful stings from its stinger. As far as our everyday lives are concerned, they are not only feared because of their bites, but also give their name to the popular Italian scooter Vespa, as can be found on page 205, which in turn makes them likeable.
To summarize the publisher's words, "detailed texts describe the 163 species of dragonflies in Europe with information on their lifestyle, behavior, distribution, threat and frequency. Excellent color drawings show males and females of each species, juvenile stages, variants, side views and details of special characteristics. With an introduction to dragonfly observation, a richly illustrated identification key and references to parts of the dragonflies relevant to their purpose," the content structure must first be added. After an introduction (observing dragonflies, occurrence, maps, habitat, flight time, names...), an overview of the European countries from the perspective of dragonfly occurrence follows, before the part with the determination of the two large groups (damselflies / Zygoptera and dragonflies / Anisoptera) follows.
Excellent drawings of males and females, the juvenile stages and selected details of each species prove helpful. In addition to scientific names in Latin, such as Cordulegaster bidentata Selys 1843, German names such as Gestreifte Quellejungfer are also consistently listed.
A few interesting details should be mentioned that make the handy book in the second (2021) edition an important vademecum for excursions. In addition to European countries, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa are also included. As extensive as the book is, not all regions in all countries are comprehensively documented. We learn that only around 35 species have been described in Moldova, 20 more are still expected and should be recorded.
Anyone who goes looking for dragonflies should preferably do so in the summer at midday in sunny, calm weather on the banks of water. Anyone who sees dragonflies should enjoy the sight of them, but in no way catch them, they are protected!
There is no need to explain that dragonflies are fascinating insects because of their size and colorfulness. Three “fundamental facts in dragonfly biology” from page 9 are also mentioned here. Fact #1: Dragonflies are amphibious. The larvae live in the water, where they shed their skin several times as they grow before they rise into the air as a finished animal (imago). Fact #2: Dragonflies are predatory. Both larvae and adults prey on invertebrates (gels,...). Large dragonflies can occasionally pose a threat to tadpoles or small fish. Fact #3: Dragonflies have indirect insemination and delayed fertilization during their reproduction, typical of which is the heart-shaped mating wheel seen in copulating animals.
Conclusion: The layout of the wasp book - in a handy format - takes on the character of an illustrated book in some sections, where the beauty of the wasps comes into its own. In order to pack all text and image information of all species into a paperback format in the dragonfly guide, a smaller font was chosen, which could be a challenge for some. In terms of content, both books are hard to beat. (Thomas Hofmann, September 9, 2024)